Results 461-480 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Mar 2006)

Ann Ormonde: The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs has taken a lead role in advancing the concept of a European day, to be held on 10 May. Initially, the proposal was that only the Lower House would be involved in this event. Yesterday, it again came up for discussion at the joint committee and, as I informed the Cathaoirleach, I objected to a European day unless it reflects both Houses of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Mar 2006)

Ann Ormonde: I want the support of this House on this matter, of which the Cathaoirleach is aware. The Leader should take a lead. The exercise is to raise awareness of European issues at national level, and we may get RTE coverage to do so. This event on 10 May would provide an opportunity to link European affairs with everyday issues. We discuss directives such as the nitrates directive and the services...

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (5 Apr 2006)

Ann Ormonde: l welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tracey, to the House for this debate. This is exactly the kind of discussion the Seanad should be having and as the Seanad develops in the years to come it is important that we are given further opportunity to engage in debate on EU matters. Since I became spokesperson on European affairs, I have been trying to take the lead on having such debates in...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

Ann Ormonde: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Seanad Éireann, —recognises the constitutional position of Irish as the national language and the first official language of the State; —acknowledges the Government's success in gaining recognition for Irish as an official language of the European Union; —further acknowledges the Government's...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

Ann Ormonde: There is now a gaelscoil in every county in Ireland, which clearly shows evidence of a new interest in the language in areas where there was no past interest. My party will do everything to facilitate that group, and the Government remains committed not just to the conservation of the Irish language but to the promotion and expansion of its use. We have seen significant improvements in the...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

Ann Ormonde: The Irish language for too long suffered a lack of commitment from successive Governments. Every side of the House has been guilty on that front. Nobody should act like a "Mr. Clean" in discussing how the language was treated in the past. Under this Administration, the language is undergoing a revival, as the facts show. This is not to say we cannot do better. Many young people are still...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

Ann Ormonde: I will not under any circumstances agree to the suggestion that Irish not be compulsory at post-junior certificate level. It is important to realise that the promotion of the Irish language cannot be advanced by schools alone, and that societal attitudes to the language also impact on students' desire to learn it. The Opposition stated that there was something wrong when we achieve a higher...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

Ann Ormonde: Nobody did.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: I support the point raised by Senator Brian Hayes on development plans and how they move forward, particularly on having an action plan and making sites available for schools or neighbourhood centres. There is a lot of vagueness here due to a lack of co-operation between the Department of Education and Science and the Department responsible for local authorities, particularly with regard to...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to share time with Senator White. I welcome the Minister and congratulate the Government, whose plan began in 1998. I compliment South Dublin County Council, the leader in piloting schemes and introducing initiatives in the Dublin area. The public now understands the need to recycle and has changed its thinking. The grey bins, which changed the environment, are evidence of this, as are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: I am pleased to be wearing red today. I support Senator Brian Hayes in his call for a debate on asylum application processing. What we saw last week sent out very mixed messages to the public as to the background of those involved and why it all happened. I congratulate the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on his strong stand from the outset. He gave direction and leadership and...

Seanad: Lone Parents: Statements. (23 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate him on his impressive proposals. Up to now I had little knowledge of how the social welfare system worked in this regard. Lately, however, I am beginning to have an interest in it. As the Minister said, he is trying to bring the system into the 21st century by modernising it and seeing how best we can deal with the obstacles currently...

Seanad: Lone Parents: Statements. (23 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: We need to change all that woolly thinking. We should clarify exactly what we mean by that. Children are one thing but luring parents back to the workplace is another issue. They need confidence but they lack the required self esteem to re-enter the working community. They want to make a contribution, so good back to work programmes should be introduced to make it easy for them. The only way...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: The Senator is getting away with saying what we were not allowed to say yesterday.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: It is timely that we have this debate now to focus minds on this issue again, particularly in light of the tragedies that occurred over the last year in Meath and Offaly. I am sure the Minister was anxious to come to the House to outline her views and the progress to date with the school transport system. I will use some headlines from her speech to show what progress has been made. As the...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: If the Senator interrupts me, he must allow me to interrupt him when he speaks. There are improvements in the service. The number of pupils required to establish and maintain a primary school service has been reduced from ten eligible pupils to seven. That is positive. The threshold for the post-primary service has been reduced to four eligible pupils, provided a minimum of six fare paying...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (24 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: Having read section 22(1), I was disappointed to see that once a member of the board becomes a local representative, a Member of the Oireachtas or an MEP he or she will cease to be a member of the board. I could not understand the thinking behind that but, having informed the Minister of State of our displeasure, he will hopefully rethink the matter.

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (24 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: I know but I just wanted to put on record that I was displeased with that section and I want the Minister of State to be aware of that. It is a shame that members of local authorities in particular, who have experience in transport matters in their own areas, would be excluded from membership of the board. In that regard, I am displeased about section 22(1)(d).

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Ann Ormonde: I read the committee's report on literacy but have difficulty accepting it. I would like the Minister to explain the situation. I know she has her heart in the right place with regard to adult literacy. There has been a significant increase in funding and the VECs have put forward many programmes to counter the escalation of difficulties in the area. There is another question we must ask. The...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to make the same point as Senator Norris. While I may not agree with the amendments — I compliment the Minister and the Minister of State on bringing forward this legislation in such detail following round the clock analytical observation of the process — I want to listen to the discussion on them. Although I probably would not agree with the last amendment tabled by Senator...